In this episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast, I sit down with trailblazing Woppaburra woman, Dr. Angela Barney-Leitch, live from the Human Rights Summit on Yagara Country. From growing up in Woodridge to becoming the first Aboriginal woman appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Queensland, Angela reflects on her incredible journey and the importance of cultural leadership in institutions like QUT.

Angela shares the transformative work happening through Carumba, the Indigenous Research Institute, and how initiatives like the Campus to Country strategy are reshaping what inclusion and sovereignty look like on university campuses. Angela also speaks candidly about the strength of community, the role of education in our liberation, and why standing strong in your identity is more important than ever.

This yarn is a celebration of black excellence, black joy, and the power of returning to and standing on Country. An inspiring listen for anyone navigating the intersections of culture, education, and leadership.

Resources & Links

Books & Authors

Another Day in the Colony by Professor Chelsea Watego
https://www.uqp.com.au/books/another-day-in-the-colony

Black Witness by Amy McQuire
https://scribepublications.com.au/books-authors/books/black-witness-9781922585725

Indigenous Education & Strategy at QUT

Carumba Institute – Indigenous Research at QUT
https://www.qut.edu.au/research/carumba-institute

Campus to Country: Positioning Strategy
https://www.qut.edu.au/about/campus-to-country

QUT Indigenous Strategy
https://www.qut.edu.au/about/indigenous

Indigenous Mathematics & Education

YuMi Deadly Maths – QUT
https://research.qut.edu.au/ydc/about/yumi-deadly-maths/

Dr. Chris Matthews – Griffith University Profile
https://www.griffith.edu.au/advancement/notable-alumni/2021-alumni-award-winners/professor-chris-matthews

Woppaburra Country & Marine Stewardship

Woppaburra Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement (TUMRA)
https://woppaburra.com.au/100-2/

Reef Authority – Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreements
https://www2.gbrmpa.gov.au/learn/traditional-owners/traditional-use-marine-resources-agreements

Indigenous Business Leadership

Master of Indigenous Business Leadership – Monash University
https://www.monash.edu/indigenous-australians/study/master-of-indigenous-business-leadership

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I yarn with proud Widjabul Wia-bal woman Larissa Baldwin-Roberts — a lifelong community organiser, strategist, and changemaker. From growing up in Lismore surrounded by stories of resistance and survival, to leading major campaigns on climate, justice, and rights, Larissa shares how her family’s legacy shaped her political thinking and commitment to grassroots action.

We explore the aftermath of the Voice referendum, the threats facing Treaty processes, and the urgent need to reframe how we organise, persuade, and protect First Nations rights on our own terms. Larissa reflects on the lessons passed down from her father and community Elders, the role of strategic activism, and why self-determination doesn’t need government permission.

With deep insights into the political moment we’re in, this episode also shines a light on Indigenous-led leadership, featuring reflections on the work of Aunty Mary Graham and the power of Aboriginal logic and philosophy.

🖤💛❤️

Resources & Links

The BlackCard – Cultural Education and Training
Founded by Aunty Mary Graham and Dr Lilla Watson.

• https://www.theblackcard.com.au/

Passing the Message Stick
A research project led by First Nations campaigners, including Larissa Baldwin-Roberts, focused on how to shift public attitudes toward First Nations justice.

• https://passingthemessagestick.org.au/

GetUp!
A progressive movement Larissa previously led — involved in campaigns on justice, climate, and Aboriginal rights.

• https://www.getup.org.au/

Voice Referendum – Resources and Reflections

• The Guardian – Referendum coverage and analysis:
  https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/voice-to-parliament

• Australian Human Rights Commission – Statement on the Voice:
  https://humanrights.gov.au/about/news/voice-parliament

Yoorrook Justice Commission (VIC)
Victoria’s Truth-Telling Commission

• https://yoorrookjusticecommission.org.au/

Truth and Treaty Processes (QLD & NT)

• Queensland Truth-Telling and Treaty:
  https://statementfromtheheart.com/treaty/qld/

• Northern Territory Treaty Process:
  https://www.treaty.nt.gov.au/

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I sit down with Walters Nkemfack, a proud Cameroonian-Australian father, cultural educator, and social justice advocate living on Kabi Kabi Country. Walters shares his deeply personal journey from Cameroon to Germany and finally to the Sunshine Coast—where the racism his young son experienced in kindergarten sparked a lifelong commitment to community-building and anti-racism work.

From his grassroots “leaf experiment” in a classroom to becoming an ambassador for the Shine a Light on Racism campaign, Walters’ story is a testament to turning pain into purpose. He talks candidly about the realities of systemic discrimination in workplaces and schools, the exhaustion of starting over in each new setting, and the courage it takes to speak out when silence feels safer.

This yarn is a reminder that inclusion is more than diversity—it’s about creating spaces where everyone feels like they truly belong.

Resources & Links

Anti-Racism Campaigns & Education

• Shine a Light on Racism (Sunshine Coast Council)
  https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/living-and-community/community-support/shine-a-light-on-racism

• Shine a Light Educational Resources
  https://haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/shinealightonracism/educate

• Shine a Light: Make a Pledge
  https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/living-and-community/community-support/shine-a-light-on-racism/pledge

• Racism. It Stops With Me (Australian Human Rights Commission)
  https://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/

• Racism. It Stops With Me – Resource Hub
  https://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/resourcehub

• Racism. It Stops With Me – Support Services
  https://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/take-action/support-services

Reporting Racism

• Racism Register
  https://racismregister.org/

• Racism Register – About
  https://racismregister.org/pages/about

• Call It Out (First Nations Racism Register)
  https://callitout.com.au/

Mental Health & Crisis Support

• 13YARN (Support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples)
  https://www.13yarn.org.au/

• Lifeline Australia (24/7 crisis support)
  https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Mental Health Care Access

• Mental Health Treatment Plans (via your GP)
  https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-treatment-plan

Workplace Support

• AccessEAP (Employee Assistance Program provider)
  https://www.accesseap.com.au/

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.